Golf Scoring Terms Explained
To understand scoring in golf, you must first understand what par is. Par is the expected number of shots a relatively good golfer will take to get the ball from the tee to the bottom of the hole. For the most part, you will only see par threes, par fours, and par fives.
What is a par in Golf?
On a par three, a score of par would entail that the golfer has taken three shots or hits to get the ball from the tee box and into the hole. On a par four, this would take four shots, and on a par five, five shots. Par is typically determined by distance. A typical par three will be between 100 and 200 yards. For more skilled golfers, a par three can even be upwards of 250 yards or longer. A typical par four will be between 250 and 400 yards, although, this isn’t a hard fast rule. On some shorter courses, par fours can be shorter than 250 yards, whereas longer courses may have par fours well over 400 yards. Par fives are typically between 450 yards and above. Again, this can vary depending on skill level and the course.
What is a birdie in Golf?
A birdie is one shot less than par. For instance, if a golfer were to only hit the ball three times on a par four, meaning, the ball is at the bottom of the cup after their third shot, they have made a birdie. To get a birdie on a par three, you would have to hit the ball just two times.
What is a bogey in Golf?
A bogey is one shot more than par. If the par were five on a hole, and it took a golfer six shots to hole out, they would score a bogey.
What is a double bogey in Golf?
A double bogey is two shots more than par.
What is a triple bogey Golf?
A triple bogey is three shots more than par.
What is a quadruple bogey Golf?
A quadruple bogey is two shots less than par. I’m kidding, it’s four shots over par! This pattern of naming bogeys continues on forever, I would imagine. Although golfers normally just start using the number instead of calling it by its name. For example, if I were to take eight strokes on a par three, it would technically be called a quintuple bogey. But if a playing partner asked what I got on a hole, I would simply respond with “eight,” rather than trying to figure out what the bogey is called.
What is an eagle Golf?
Speaking of two shots under par, this is what is called an eagle! An eagle requires incredible shots. Typically you see most eagles on par fives, where a golfer only hits the ball three times to get it in the hole. An eagle on a par four would require just two shots, and an eagle on a par three is one shot, or a hole in one!
What is an albatross in Golf? Also known as a double eagle…
Noticing the bird theme? I’m not sure why there are so many bird references in scoring, but at least it is consistent! An albatross is three shots less than par. So on a par five, if a golfer miraculously hits it into the hole on their second shot, this would give them an albatross! It could also be achieved by a hole-in-one on a par four, which is incredibly rare.
What is an ace in Golf?
An ace is just another name for a hole-in-one.
Scoring names in golf can be complicated, but they just represent a number in relation to par. At the end of the round, you add up the number of shots you hit, not the cumulative names of all the scores on all the holes. Everything is in relation to par. If you are a beginner golfer, don’t worry too much about the par on the hole. The purpose of the game of golf is to get it in the hole in the least amount of strokes. It doesn’t matter too much if you get a double bogey, par, or quintuple bogey. What’s important is enjoying the good holes when they happen. It can be really tough to get pars or even bogeys on certain holes, even for highly experienced golfers. So celebrate when you make a putt for a five on a par four!